What process did you use to integrate multiple subwoofers for 2 channel listening?


Today I will be trying to integrate up to three subs. Two are matching Rythmiks F12SE, and one is a REL R-328. The Rythmiks have a variety of adjustable parameters, including phase, crossover, and gain. There are other switches and passes on the sub, but I'm going to try to keep it basic to begin with. The REL has variable gain and crossover; the phase on REL is either 0 or 180.

I have REW for measurement. I will be buying a few more furniture sliders this morning, on doctors orders. ;-)

QUESTION: If you have multiple subs, by what process did you integrate your subs? One at a time? More? Which adjustments did you try first and in what kinds of increment?

I know that trial, error, measuring, and listening will all take time. Rather than look for a needle in a haystack, I'm curious what sequence or process was most effective for you.

Thank you.
128x128hilde45
Update. After a lot of work yesterday, I’ve made good progress. I have no peaks over 4 db, and 4 nulls that are -5-6db and one big narrow one that is -8 db.

Scan results are on my system page:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9064/edit

Basics of what I did:
  • Started with a baseline scan. No subs.
  • Assuming positions I had worked out before were adequate....
  • Added 1 sub (REL). Adjusted in minute increments to (a) gain, (b) crossover, (c) phase -180 or 0.
  • Added subs 2 and 3 (Rythmik). Adjusted in minute increments to (a) gain, (b) crossover, (c) phase, (d) various filter adjustments on sub
  • Once those measurements were all optimized I adjusted:
  • Front wall treatments, adding, subtracting, and moving.
  • Side and other area treatments, same.
  • Ceiling treatments -- doubled and adjusted position of existing treatments.

REW notes: Besides using REW to play sweeps and analyze the curves I tried something new (for me).
  • I looked at the graph to identify the frequency where a peak or deep null was.
  • Then, I’d play a constant tone and move a single treatment, facing the laptop screen display of the SPL meter, keeping an eye on the tone and an SPL graph next to it.
  • When the the SPL graph showed a real decrease in a peak (or rise in a null), I’d leave the treatment there and then go back and do a sweep.
  • Then, I’d repeat it and either shift treatment position or add more treatment there or nearby.
By doing this for the most problematic peaks and nulls, I was able to try new and more asymmetric combinations of treatment positions to really address the curve. In other words, I finally discarded my visual bias.
@hilde45
I'm curious, can you post what your settings are on the 2 Rythmik subs please, thanks.
@golfnutz Happily.

Working very well in my room:

1 REL Sub (further away)
Phase: 180
Crossover: 100
Volume: 7 p.m. (3 tics)

2 Rythmik F12SE Subs (both behind and to the outside of each main, but not exactly equally):

Both set at:

Phase: 180
Crossover: 40
Volume: 7 p.m. (3 tics)
LFE Pass filter: 50hz
Rumble filter: Off
Extension Filter Freq: 20
Extension Filter Damping: Mid
Poorly designed rooms will ALWAYS have peaks and nulls, feel blessed your's are not any worse than what they are. Are these devotions from ruler flat response something you are hearing that affects your listening pleasure or is it something an electronic piece of equipment is telling you is not correct? We build rooms that are exclusively for 2 channel listening, after the initial construction is done we begin the laborious task of tuning the room to each owners personal taste. We have built approximately 100 of these rooms and have found that very seldom does a client ever choose ruler flat response (or as close as we can get to it) as the preferred sound of there room. Ruler flat response is over rated. Electronic equipment can help you achieve better sound but it (and other people) cannot determine what is the best sound for you, only your ears and brain can determine that.